Nutrient Management Research Database
General Information
Research Title
Research Specifications
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Summary/Abstract from Original Source
California melon (Cucumis melo) growers commonly apply calcium (Ca) fertilizers during fruit development to increase fruit firmness and improve storage life. Drip-irrigated field trials were conducted in central California in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate the efficacy of this practice on honeydew (C. meloInodorus group) and muskmelon (C. melo Reticulatus group). In the 2005 honeydew trial, three weekly applications of 10 lb/acre Ca from calcium nitrate (CN), calcium thiosulfate (CTS), or calcium chloride (CC) were injected into the irrigation system during early melon development. In the 2006 muskmelon trial, two applications of 15 lb/acre Ca from CTS or CC were made early, or two applications of CC late, in melon development. The effect of these Ca fertigation treatments on fruit yield, soluble solids concentration, flesh firmness, and Ca concentration were compared with an untreated control receiving no Ca fertigation. Calcium fertigation had no effect on marketable yield, quality, or Ca concentration of honeydew or muskmelon fruit regardless of application timing or Ca source applied. Loss of firmness during either 2 weeks (honeydew) or 1 week (muskmelon) of postharvest storage was unrelated to Ca fertigation treatment and was not correlated with Ca concentration in fruit tissue. We conclude that under conditions representative of the California melon industry, Ca fertigation at typical application rates is ineffective in improving honeydew or muskmelon yield or fruit quality.
Research Highlights
Design and Methods
- A two year field study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of three calcium fertigation practices on fruit yield and quality in honeydew and muskmelon.
- In the first year of the study, honeydew melons received three fertigations per week of either calcium thiosulfate (CTS), calcium nitrate (CN), or calcium chloride (CC) during early fruit development. Each application consisted of 10 lbs Ca/ac.
- In the second year of the study, muskmelons received ETC or one of two CC treatments. The additional CC treatment (late CC) was initaited 1 week after the concluison of the CTS and CC applciations. All treatments consisted of 15 lbs Ca/ac.
Results
- Calcium fertigation had no effect on marketable yield or fruit number of either honey or muskmelon.
- Average marketable yield was 1308 cartons/ac for honeydew and and 1246 cartons/ac for muskmelon. These yields were almost twice as high as industry averages.
- These high yields were attributed to the use of buried drip lines.
- Cacium fertigation also had no effect on fruit quality, both at harvest and after storage.
Other Considerations
This study suggests that standard parctice of Ca fertilization had little to no effect on melon yield.
Additional Information
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